Almost NO ONE knows this hidden paradise in Argentine Patagonia! 🇦🇷
Our great road trip started back in Curitiba and took us over 18,000 kilometers down to the end of the world in Ushuaia! And to wrap up our final stretch through what is officially considered Patagonia, we chose a completely surprising, rugged, and off-the-beaten-path destination: Caviahue!
This small and exotic mountain village is located in the Neuquén province, Argentina, nestled right at the foot of the active, imposing Copahue Volcano and on the shores of the intriguing Lake Caviahue. Although we only stayed for a short time, this town delivered unforgettable experiences and a truly unique style of tourism.
Keep in mind: this was our last stop in Patagonia, but NOT the end of the road trip! From here, we hit the road and keep driving north toward Mendoza!
In this video, we take you through a complete itinerary featuring checkpoints with volcano views, summer snow hikes, waterfalls cutting through basaltic rocks, the majestic Salto del Agrio, and, of course, a real look at how things happen behind the cameras as we prepare for the next leg of the journey. Hit play and join us!
⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS (Clickable Timestamps):
00:00 – From Curitiba to Ushuaia: Saying Goodbye to Patagonia
01:17 – Mirador Lago Caviahue and the Copahue Volcano
02:14 – Laguna Escondida Trail
05:44 – Cascada de la Usina Vieja
07:26 – The Magnitude of Lake Caviahue
09:47 – The Spectacle of Salto del Agrio
13:46 – Behind the Scenes and Heading to Mendoza
📍 TACTICAL TRAVEL GUIDE:
🚗 How to Get to Caviahue and Next Destinations:
From Neuquén Capital, it’s about 360 km following Rutas Provinciales 21 and 26, which are fully paved all the way to town. For those who, like us, are continuing north towards Mendoza and the Cuyo region, connecting back to the iconic Ruta 40 reveals breathtaking transitional landscapes.
☀️ Summer vs. ❄️ Winter (What to do):
In Summer (Our trip): This is the golden era for trekking, mountain biking, and mountaineering (such as the guided hike to the volcano’s crater). It’s also when the world-famous therapeutic hot springs in the neighboring town of Copahue are open.
In Winter: The town transforms into a renowned boutique ski resort. Due to its altitude, it boasts one of the longest snow seasons in South America, making it perfect for skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobile tours.
🥾 Trail Breakdown:
Laguna Escondida: Easy-to-moderate difficulty. It’s about a 3 km round trip with a steady climb on volcanic soil, rewarding hikers with gorgeous panoramic views of the town.
Cascada de la Usina Vieja: A very easily accessible spot right off the road. The stream rushes down striking dark basaltic rock walls, making it a quick and perfect stop for photos and videos.
🌋 Geological Fact:
The Copahue Volcano (standing at nearly 3,000m) is an active giant. Its chemical footprint feeds the area with iron and sulfur, giving Lake Caviahue highly acidic waters (almost completely life-free) and staining the canyon of Salto del Agrio — which stands at an official height of 45 meters — with unbelievable shades of orange and yellow.
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